10 Tips On How To Cliff Jump Without Getting Hurt

[WARNING: Please do not try this, unless you are very well prepared psychically! We get a lot of comments from people who hurt themselves while cliff jumping]

You’ve seen it in movies, you probably dream about it – so why not experience it? The thought of cliff jumping probably sounds like something that you could never do, but for others it is highly appealing. In this post we will present 10 tips on how to do a cliff jump without getting hurt, a list that can apply to cliff jumping beginners and second-level beginners (those that have already been through this once let’s say). Naturally, before you do this, you must already master the art of swimming!

These are just some general ideas that you should take into consideration. We also recommend that you get a serious training from someone with experience at first and if you are indeed a beginner, start with relatively small cliffs.

1. Don’t go cliff diving alone. Take your friends along, in case something goes wrong. Besides, this way things could be a lot more fun.

2. Make sure you wait for your friends to step out of the water before you decide to make the jump. This will make things easier for you to concentrate and will prevent hurting anyone.If you have a neoprene wetsuit bring it along. If you’re a beginner, bring your sneakers too.

3. Before doing a cliff jump, keep in mind that pressure can be a huge issue and take care of your ears by using a few drops of olive oil or silicone.

4. Check out how deep the water is. You can do that by engaging in a little research on that particular river or lake or simply ask someone that can help you with this information. If you happen to be out in the wild and are in a situation when you have to jump- this is a movie-like scenario, but you never know-, here’s an interesting solution you could try: find some natural vegetation that could be used as a rope, tie it together and then tie a rock at the end of it. This way, by throwing the rock in the water, you will know approximatively how deep it is. If it is less than 4 meters, then it is not safe, so you should search for alternatives. Also, be aware of the tides in the area. If you are a good swimmer, you can try twisting in order to escape the currents.

5. It is important to start safe. This involves a few things: first off, you must be confident, chickening out is not an option as it could really influence the way you dive. You need to be 100% lucid in order to control your body during the jump. Also, a steady starting place is necessarily in order to look around at first and calculate your jump at your own pace.

6. Make sure you have enough space and time to make your move by calculating the distance and visualize your jump in your head before take off. Start your jump by having your arms tight to the body in a straight position. This is the best way, don’t mind all the silly people in the photos : )

7. Jump feet first! It is said that most of the professional cliff divers (in fact, 98% ) dive in this manner, mainly because diving head first is very dangerous.

8. Learn to enjoy the time spent in the air. This may seem like a crazy advice, but it is a great sensation once you manage to relax. This will of course occur in time. Once your body is loose, you will have more control over it.

9. When your body hits the water, it should have a tight and dynamic shape. Keep your toes stretched and arms very close to your body, so you could slide freely and easily.

10. As you start to come in contact with the water, remember to breathe out through your nose, not to let any water affect your breathing process.

In case you have experienced this semi-extreme sport and want to add some information or advice, feel free to leave a comment.

Mark Ryan

anne

September 2, 2013 at 8:02 pm

I hurt my back quite badly cliff jumping. I had no idea how dangerous it was when I jumped. I think I actually got very lucky that the injury wasn’t much worse. I think it’s very very foolish and that this article is irresponsibly sensationalizing the act.

tote

September 7, 2013 at 4:24 pm

Dear Anne,
We are deeply sorry you got hurt and hope you will recover soon, if you hadn’t already.
Our intention is not to irresponsibly sensationalize anything. As you can see in the title, the idea is “not to get hurt”.

We count on the fact that our readers are adults, who do not take risks foolishly, but who are brave enough to step out of their comfort zone and try out new things.

Sabrina

July 28, 2014 at 7:12 pm

Telling people not to Cliff jump is like telling people not to have sex. This website is providing tips to stay safe while Cliff jumping. The person who hurts their back cliff jumping basically said this article was encouraging dangerous behavior, I disagree because people are going to do what they want anyway, might as well give good advice so they have less chance of getting hurt.

Sabrina

July 28, 2014 at 7:15 pm

The comparison I made by saying telling people not to jump is like telling people not to have sex, was meant to say it ‘a like telling someone to be abstinent, there’s still going to do anyway you might well show them ways to protect themselves instead of avoiding the reality. I forgot to write it.

I’ve cliff dived a number of times in the past, but it was only when I dived again last month that I actually got injured. As soon as I landed in the water, pain shot through my legs and rested on my spine. I could hardly walk for days, and for an entire month I had to sleep with my back straight against the bed like a corpse.

My brother (who was a first timer) immediately regretted not reading up first. Although in fairness to him, he didn’t get injured like I did. Now that my back is better and some friends are visiting for the weekend, I feel that I have to take them to the cliff an jump again.

This time, I can say I’ve actually read up. Your article taught me a lot and I feel I’m more ready this time. I never realized that keeping your hands close to your body was the optimal position as opposed to flapping them around like a bird. Ha!

Just one question though: I felt that I got injured because I entered the water with my legs straight instead of bending my knees a little… Am I right in assuming that it should be a little bent?

Ruby

David

June 6, 2016 at 12:18 am

I disagree with the whole keep your arms to the side stuff. If you are new cliff jumper and are jumping from over 30 feet then you may have to have your arms out to adjust should you start to drift backwards. I seriously hurt my back jumping from 55 Feet and keeping my hands to the side. Only put them to the side right before you make contact with water “otherwise they will smack the water” . I do like the advice about starting low. Gradually working your way up is the smartest move. This gives you the experience and teaches you what not to do. I watched a first time jumper die after doing a flip from 45 feet at an old strip mine on spring break. Right before he jumped my friend yelled out “see you at your funeral” jokingly but he couldn’t have been more correct. Be very careful cliff diving and always land on your feet if you are not very experienced.

Anonymous

July 22, 2016 at 6:04 pm

I know this sounds like common sense.. But when i landed on a 70ft jump, i happened to have my eyes open. Im not sure why i did (maybe just to know where i was going to land. But please people dont land with your eyes open lol.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

September 23, 2016 at 11:40 am

I cliff jumped a few days ago and my landing was terrible. I have big bruises on my legs. They are not painful and I can move around as I normally do. What worries me is the moving sensation that I now get whenever I am still or lying down. I don’t know if I have injured my neck or head or ears. Please advise.

Adrian Minor

Barnabas Kocsis

October 19, 2017 at 10:25 pm

If you jump from really high places (cliff, bridge) you should consider two more advices (from 20 m, you travel 2 s in the air and hit the water with more than 70km/h): 1. Keep your balance during the flight (if lost it, circle with your arms. Don’t give up, fight!) 2. 2-3 meters before the arriving (but not more!) pull your arms to middle to protect your balls, clench your legs!, and contract all of your muscles (upper and lower parts also!).

Aidan Brom

November 18, 2017 at 3:05 am

Hey man. I’ve been cliff jumping for a while now. My buddy hurt his knee the same way you got hurt. We were jumping a 68 foot cliff and he expected the water to come much sooner. His legs were fully extended when he hit, which we believe caused his injury.I wouldn’t recommend over 40 feet to any beginner because the impact is definitely big.

Chris

February 17, 2018 at 5:52 pm

Many things are dangerous if you approach it foolishly, including things like driving a car and hiking in the woods, Anne. You said yourself you didn’t think how dangerous it was, that is your fault. Treat activities with respect, know your limits, prepare with training, and people will be safe. Don’t knock an activity because you didn’t respect the risks involved.